Pre-doctoral Fellowship Grant Awarded to Christian Ramsoomair

Dr. Ramsoomair is exploring a new approach focused on RNA modifications—small changes in the genetic messages inside tumor cells. He and his team discovered that a specific enzyme called ADAR is highly active in DMG tumors. ADAR helps cancer cells hide from the immune system, so blocking it may make tumors more vulnerable. Early tests in lab-grown DMG cells show that reducing ADAR levels increases immune signals, slows tumor growth, and makes the tumors more recognizable to the immune system.

The goal of this study is to understand exactly how ADAR helps DMG escape the immune system and to determine if blocking it can make immunotherapy more effective in treating these deadly tumors. If successful, this research could lead to new treatment strategies and future clinical trials for children battling DMG.